During the Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake Murray, I had the incredible opportunity to serve as a camera boat driver. Prior to the tournament, I gave myself three rules to follow: 1) Don’t interfere with angler’s fishing 2) Help the camera guy be in position to do his job well 3) Try not to be seen on Bassmaster Live. Below are my observations from this wonderful experience.
These guys are good
First, these guys are just plain good at catching bass. They must be to ascend to the top level of professional bass fishing. The accuracy in every single cast, left and right-handed, was a true eye-opening realization. Note taken. Second, each angler approached Lake Murray in their own way. Some anglers were fishing as fast as my Minn Kota Ultrex could go, while others milked a single point for an hour or more. They fished their spots or areas the way they wanted to fish them. And third, Elite anglers can do things most average fishermen cannot. For instance, did you see how Hunter Shryock contorted his body on the front deck of his boat to free a seven pounder from behind two dock posts? And they say bass fishermen aren’t athletes.
They aren’t so different from us
I have lived in Columbia, SC for seven and half years and fished Lake Murray dozens of times. Due to my lack of success, I assumed there were secret spots or techniques that I had not been granted access. Over four days, I witnessed numerous Elite Series anglers comb over many of the same places I frequent, maybe a little differently, undoubtedly more effectively.
I witnessed the same highs and lows I have experienced on the water, but to a greater degree. I watched mechanical troubles that can take your mind and baits literally out of the water. I observed the emotional high of catching a 5- or 7-pound bass, and the lows of a key lost fish or a late morning lull. I experienced the building anxiety of an afternoon flurry where you knew you were just one bite away from victory. Finally, the one aspect that I believe mostly sets the Elites apart from the rest of us is time on the water. Experience develops intuition, which is critical to making key on the water adjustments during a tournament, especially one that lasts four days.
How to get more experience
If you are looking to become a better angler, maybe even with aspirations to fish the highest level of professional bass fishing, get out on the water, try new things, experiment with different techniques, and test your skills during real competition on different types of water. A great way to do so is by becoming a member of B.A.S.S., join a local bass club, and sign up to fish your state’s BASS Nation. After all, that is where some of our sport’s greatest anglers began their career.